Modular hunting stand

ABSTRACT

Provided herein is a stand useful by hunters to observe or hunt game in remote locations. A hunting stand according to the invention is readily assembled and disassembled by virtue of connective means disclosed. A hunting stand according to the invention is readily portable to locations inaccessible to hunting stands of the prior art, and has greater structural stability over prior hunting stands.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention relates generally to tower-like support platform devices which are able to provide a person to become poised in a stable position above ground level. More particularly, it relates to a platform from which a hunter may observe game, or hunt. According to a preferred form of the invention, a tower-like support platform is provided which is of modular construction

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

[0002] Hunting stands, deer stands, and the like are articles that are well-known in the hunting arts, for providing a hunter with a stable, platform on which the hunter may dispose himself in an elevated position with respect to the ground surface. Such stands are useful in providing the hunter with an increased field of view and thus the ability to see more game, while at the same time also affording a position from which a shot may be made, by, for example, a firearm or bow and arrow, to a target prey, and especially when the hunting stand is provided with a canvas or other cover, so as to render the hunter invisible to the prey sought. Poising onesself as a hunter in a deer stand may also have the advantage of permitting the hunter's scent to be carried away by winds and hence undetected by the prey, which would otherwise tend to warn the prey of the presence of the hunter. Thus, hunting stands such as deer stands and the like have been a popular favorite of many hunters for decades.

[0003] Generally speaking, the hunting stands of the prior art are comprised of a legged frame, having a platform upon which the hunter resides, usually hidden by a blind means to be out of view of the prey sought. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,854,705 discloses a portable hunting blind comprising a plurality of elongated upright legs arranged in a generally rectangular relationship and sloping inwardly slightly, a horizontal floor panel detachably secured to the upper ends of the legs, X-bracing extending between adjacent legs on each side o the blind, a unitary side wall panel detachably secured to each f the side edges of the floor panel and extending upwardly therefrom. There is a means detachably securing the abutting edges of each of the side wall panels together. There is a unitary roof panel resting on the upper edges of the side wall panels and detachably secured thereto. There is a sliding window arranged for horizontal movement in each of the side wall panels adjacent one side edge thereof, and a trap door formed in the horizontal floor panel for access to the hunting blind.

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 3,220,766 describes a portable hunter's bind that comprises a flat circular platform that is supported in an elevated position above the ground by a plurality of detachable tubular legs, and a removable swivel seat has a back rest, to which is secured an umbrella to provide shade.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 3,289,787 sets forth a collapsible elevated hunting shelter that comprises a support platform, four support legs affixed to the platform, a plurality of vertically spaced horizontal ladder rungs extending between and fixed to a pair of adjoining support legs thereby forming a means of access to the platform. The device is collapsible to the form of a suitcase.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,412,398 teaches a hunting platform device comprising an upright sleeve, and a platform. The upright sleeve is mounted on the platform and has a vertical axis perpendicular to the platform. The sleeve is made of flexible material. There is a seat mounted on the platform, and the sleeve is movable upward from a position adjacent the platform to a raised position. The sleeve, when raised, has a height extending from the platform to a height above the seat to surround the seat and form a wall enclosing the seat, to at least partially conceal an operator seated on the seat. The sleeve is open across its top. There is support means for supporting the sleeve in its raised position, wherein the support means comprises a hoop fixed about the upper open end of the sleeve. There are removable rods with their upper ends engaging the hoop for supporting the hoop and thereby supporting the sleeve, with their lower ends mounted to the platform. There are a plurality of legs mounted beneath the platform to support the platform in a raised position above the ground.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,606,142 discloses an elevated game blind, comprising: a) a platform with a rectilinear base providing four corners and a hunter's compartment supported thereon, the base has a pair of intersecting beams at each corner; b) a plurality of elongate legs and means for arranging the legs in diverging load supporting relation relative to the platform, the arranging means comprising a bracket on each corner of the base. Each of the brackets has a planar metal section secured to the pair of intersecting beams adjacent a corner and a section of elongate rigid square tubing free of movable parts. The tubing section is affixed to the metal section, the tubing sections defining a plurality of downwardly diverging axes. The legs are received in the square tubing sections for unobstructed movement along the axes and is free of interconnecting braces. There is a means for securing the legs in the square tubing sections during erection, the securing means comprising an interiorly threaded boss opening into the inside of the square tubing section and a set screw extending through the boss. The invention further comprises a ladder extending from the base toward an underlying ground surface.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 4,719,716 describes a round hunting blind for concealing the presence of at least one hunter stalking game of the type comprising an enclosure having a peripheral wall forming essentially an upright cylinder; a roof attached to the upper end of the upright cylinder and extending over the edges of the wall; exterior framing supporting the peripheral wall; a floor member attached to the lower end of the upright cylinder; an entrance door formed in the wall; at least two window openings formed in the peripheral wall at a desired height suitable for the hunter; the invention comprising: a) an outer window having one edge mounted to the exterior surface of the peripheral wall and having essentially the same curvature of the peripheral wall and dimensions of the window opening; the window fitting into the window opening formed in the peripheral wall; the outer window opening toward to outside of the peripheral wall; b) an essentially transparent inner window mounted to the interior of the peripheral wall; the inner window essentially covers the window opening; and, the inner window opens toward the interior of the peripheral wall; and c) wherein the outer window may be opened independently of the inner window, and which inner window protects the hunter from the weather outside of the blind, while providing a clear view outside of the blind for the hunter.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 4,928,449 sets forth the present invention relates to an improved deck device which is elevated with respect to associated structure. The device includes an elevated platform has sidewalls angled with respect to the horizontal. The sidewalls may be covered with a reflective covering designed to reflect the sun's rays in the direction of the center of the deck to facilitate tanning of individuals seated or lying thereon.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,241,772 teaches a cylindrical hunting blind for concealing the presence of an occupant comprising: a) an upright hollow cylindrical enclosure having top and bottom ends and a circular side wall formed of elongate rectangular arcuate panels joined together along adjacent longitudinal side edges and of sufficient height to allow an occupant to assume a standing position; b) a domed roof attached to the top end of the cylindrical enclosure; c) a floor attached to the bottom end of the cylindrical enclosure; d) a door opening in the circuit side wall has a door movably mounted therein; e) at least one window opening formed in the circular side wall intermediate the top and bottom ends; f) a pair of vertical track members mounted on the circular side wall in laterally opposed relation adjacent each the window opening; g) at least one window closely conforming to the curvature of the circular side wall slidably mounted on the track members for smooth and quiet vertical sliding movement to cover the window opening in a fully closed position and to completely uncover the window opening in a fully open position, and capable of is positioned at selective vertical positions between the fully closed and fully open positions.

[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,297,844 discloses a portable, quickly and easily installable and removable cab for temporary installation upon a lightweight, open all terrain vehicle, with the all terrain vehicle including front and rear racks rigidly and permanently affixed thereto, the cab comprising: a) a rigid, permanently assembled monolithic structure comprising a front portion and a rear portion has left side and right side openings therebetween and has a common roof extending across the front portion, the rear portion and the left and right side openings; b) the front portion and the rear portion respectively cooperating with the front and rear racks of the all terrain vehicle and defining an enclosure along with the common roof, with the openings providing left side and right side access to the enclosure, whereby; c) the cab is temporarily secured to the front and rear racks of the all terrain vehicle to provide enclosed shelter for an operator of the all terrain vehicle; d) the cab including left and right doors hingedly attached to the front portion of the cab and latchable to the front portion of the cab and latchable to the rear portion of the cab, whereby; e) the left and right openings between the front portion and the rear portion of the cab are closable.

[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 5,327,993 describes a deer stand apparatus, comprising: a) a U-shaped first frame spaced from and parallel in confronting relationship relative to a U-shaped second frame, each arranged coextensive relative to one another; b) a platform plate orthogonally mounted to the first frame and the second frame; c) a fabric orthogonally secured about the platform plate extending upwardly thereof and selectively secured to the platform plate; d) a canopy is arranged overlying the fabric wall; e) the first frame includes a first frame top leg, and the second frame includes a second frame top leg, with the first frame top leg and the second frame top leg arranged in a parallel and coextensive relationship relative to one another, with the first frame including a first frame front leg, and a first frame rear leg extending below the first frame top leg, the second frame includes a second frame front leg and a second frame rear leg extending downwardly relative to the second frame top leg; f) the first frame top leg and the second frame top leg each include a plurality of fastener rods fixedly and orthogonally mounted to the respective first frame top leg and the second frame top leg, the platform plate includes a perimeter edge, with a plurality of first apertures directed orthogonally through the platform plate in adjacency to the perimeter edge, and a plurality of second apertures directed orthogonally through the platform plate spaced from the first apertures directed interiorly of the platform plate, and each of the fastener rods is received through one of the second apertures, and an individual fastener nut is secured to each of the fastener rods above the platform plate, with the first frame top leg and the second frame top leg arranged below and in contiguous relationship relative to the platform plate, and a plurality of mounting rods are provided, with each of the mounting rods directed through one of the first apertures, and the fabric wall is secured to the mounting rods.

[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 5,862,827 sets forth a mobile and adjustable elevated platform to environmentally protect and conceal an observer or hunter of game, the elevated platform comprising: a) a mobile stand for mounting the elevated platform; b) a generally rectangular platform mounted to and above a plurality of vertically oriented telescopic legs secured to the mobile stand, and a centrally disposed lifting mechanism secured to the mobile stand and positioned to elevate the platform to a predetermined height; c) plural wall panels, each has at least one window therein, hingedly mounted to the respective sides of the platform to allow for pivotally moving the wall panels to form an upright enclosure about the platform; d) a roof panel hingedly mounted to one the wall panel to provide a cover to the upright enclosure; e) an access means in the form of a door within one the wall panel; and f) an extension ladder extending between the mobile stand and the access means.

[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 6,053,190 teaches a new and improved two-person tree stand system for deer hunting comprising, in combination: a) a housing frame has a horizontal floor formed of peripheral rods in a rectangular configuration with cross support rods forming a rectangular access space, the housing frame also has a roof formed of peripheral rods in a generally rectangular configuration and a central rod with diagonal support rods forming an A-frame, the housing frame also has sides formed of vertical rods coupling the floor and the roof with diagonal support rods, the rods is formed of welded-together steel; b) a wooden floor positioned on the floor of the housing frame with an opening over the access space, the wooden floor has a cross-strengthening brace with protruding ends receivable within recesses in the frame; c) a fabric roof positionable over the roof of the housing frame; d) four side walls positionable over the sides of the housing frame; e) eyelets formed in the housing frame at an upper extent of one side wall with a chain positionable around a supporting tree with turn buckles coupling the eyelets and chain to retain the housing frame at an elevated location; and f) upstanding hooks at each upper corner of the frame with an associated lifting device formed of a plate and a chain for surrounding the tree and a supporting structure and a pulley has a movable rope for lifting the housing frame to an elevated location for then is supported by the eyelets, chain and turn buckles.

[0015] A major disadvantage of commercially-available hunting stands is an inherent result fo the way in which such stands are constructed, insomuch as they are in general complete welded assemblies, typically having a longest length dimension in excess of 15 feet. This length dimension is necessary so that when the hunting stand is disposed in its upright position and ready for use, the hunter may take on a position that is as high off the ground as possible in order to afford the hunter the greatest advantage from the standpoint of a long sight distance, and to not warn the animals of the presence of the hunter by virtue of his scent. Thus, hunting stands of the prior art must necessarily be transported to the site of its intended use by means of a utility trailer or the like. Such transportation is virtually the only way to locate a hunting stand in its intended location of use. In most cases, the most favorable location from which hunting is desired by a hunter can not be obtained due to the fact that the best hunting locations are inaccessible to a utility trailer. Thus, hunters using stands according to the prior art have been limited in the locations at which a hunting stand may be placed, and typically the hunter is forced to settle for a location that is less than optimal in the mind of the hunter. In some cases, once a welded stand according to the prior art was finally located in an accessible position, structural difficulties in the construction of the stand had occurred due to faulty welds and breaks caused from its transportation over rough terrain and the accompanying vibrations encountered during transport. Such damage renders the stand essentially useless or in the best case, dangerous to use, and necessitated re-transportation of the stand to a welding shop for repairs.

[0016] Another problem with hunting stands of the prior art is encountered when wood siding planks are employed for the covering means by which the hunter is hidden during hunting. The rotting and warping of the wood occurs rapidly when exposed to the elements of rain and sunlight, which means that regular repairs are needed. Again, at this point, a welded hunting stand would have to be reloaded onto a utility trailer to be taken back to an area where repairs could be effected, again exposing the construction as a whole to vibratory damage.

[0017] Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a hunting stand which may be positioned in any location desired by a hunter. It is a further object of the invention to provide a hunting stand which may be readily disassembled and reassembled by the user, thus reducing the volume occupied by the hunting stand when not in use.

[0018] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention, shall become apparent to one of ordinary skill upon reading and understanding of this specification.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The present invention is directed to a hunting stand useful by hunters stalking prey which comprises: a) an upper modular section; and b) an intermediate modular section, in which each of the upper and intermediate modular sections comprise. i) four vertical support members, each having a top end portion and a bottom end portion; and ii) four horizontal support members. The vertical support members and the horizontal support members are connected to one another so as to form a rectangular solid that defines the modular section. The upper and the intermediate modular sections are stacked upon one another such that the top end portions of the vertical support members of the intermediate modular section are each connected to the bottom end portion of the vertical support members of the upper modular section. There is a lower modular section c) which comprises. i) four substantially-vertical support members, each having a top end portion and a bottom end portion; and ii) eight horizontal support members. The vertical support members and the horizontal support members of the lower modular section are connected to one another so as to form a rectangular solid that defines the modular section. The top end portions of the vertical support members of the lower modular section are connected to the bottom end portions of the vertical support members of the intermediate modular section. The four horizontal support members disposed at the junction of the lower and the intermediate modular portions lie substantially in the same plane and define a first perimeter dimension The four horizontal support members disposed at the junction of the intermediate and the upper modular sections lie substantially in the same plane and define a second perimeter dimension, wherein the second perimeter dimension is less than the first perimeter dimension

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020] In the annexed drawings

[0021]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hunting stand according to the invention;

[0022]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a lower modular assembly useful as a component of a hunting stand according to the invention;

[0023]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of modular assembly useful as a component of a hunting stand according to the invention, which may be either an intermediate or an upper modular assembly;

[0024]FIG. 4a is a top view of a threaded connector useful for connecting support members of a hunting stand according to the invention;

[0025]FIG. 4b is a top view of a threaded connector useful for connecting support members of a hunting stand according to the invention;

[0026]FIG. 4c is a side view of a threaded end portion of a vertical support member useful as a component in a hunting stand according to the invention;

[0027]FIG. 5 is a frontal view of a hunting stand according to the invention;

[0028]FIG. 6 is a frontal view of a hunting stand according to the invention,

[0029]FIG. 7 is a frontal view of a hunting stand according to the invention,

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Referring to the drawings and initially to FIG. 1 there is shown a hunting stand according to the invention, having an upper modular section u, an intermediate modular section i, and a lower modular section I arranged in a stacked configuration such that the lower modular section serves as the base for the construction as a whole, with the intermediate modular section disposed thereon, and with the upper modular section disposed atop the intermediate modular section.

[0031]FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the lower modular section of a hunting stand according to the invention, which is constructed of four vertical support members 4 v, four horizontal support members 4 h, and four horizontal support members 18 h which are connected with one another to enclose a substantially rectangular solid volume, having a top, a bottom, and four faces. The four horizontal support members 4 h are arranged to all lie in substantially the same plane, as are the four horizontal support members 18 h. Also shown are leg portions 10, which serve to raise the plane of the four support members 18 h from the surface of the firmament upon which the construction as a whole rests. The vertical support members each have a top end portion T, and a bottom end portion B.

[0032] In FIG. 3 is shown a perspective view of the construction useful as the intermediate and upper modular sections of a hunting stand according to the invention. There are vertical support members 6 v and horizontal members 6 h The four horizontal support members 6 h are arranged so that they all lie substantially in the same plane. The vertical support members each have a top end portion T, and a bottom end portion B.

[0033] In order to provide a hunting stand in accordance with the invention, a lower modular section such as that shown in FIG. 2 is first provided. Then, an intermediate modular section, such as that shown in FIG. 2 is placed atop the lower modular section, with the bottom end portions of the vertical support members 6 v of the intermediate modular section being connected to the top end portions of the vertical support members 4 v of the lower modular section. Then, an upper modular section, such as that pictorially described in FIG. 2 is placed atop the intermediate modular section, with the bottom end portions of the vertical support members of the upper modular section being connected to the top end portions of the vertical support members of the intermediate modular section, to provide a hunting stand having the general appearance as that shown in FIG. 1

[0034] A portable hunting stand according to the invention is made portable by virtue of the means by which the various support members are connected to one another. According to the prior art, such connections were typically made by the use of welds. In accordance with the present invention, the connection of the various support members to one another is preferably accomplished by means of threads provided on the end portions of the support members In one preferred form of the invention, the support members are fabricated from tubular pipes having threads on their ends. In FIGS. 4a, 4 b, and 4 c are shown the connective means useful for assembling the various support members used to provide a construction according to the invention. In FIG. 4a is shown an x-coupler, having threads on the ends of its nipple portions. In FIG. 4b is shown a piece of straight pipe, having threads on each of its end portions. In FIG. 4c is shown an offset connection, having a threaded end portion, with an angle alpha α that may vary to be any angle in the range of between about 0 to 60 degrees, including every degree therebetween. Such an offset connection is useful for connecting, for example, the top end portion of a vertical support member of the lower modular section to the bottom end portion of a vertical support member of the intermediate modular section, or the top end portion of a vertical support member of the intermediate modular section to the bottom end portion of a vertical support member of the upper modular section of a hunting stand according to the present invention.

[0035] As mentioned above, the four horizontal support members disposed at the junction of the lower and the intermediate modular portions in a hunting stand according to the invention lie substantially in the same plane and define a first perimeter dimension, and the four horizontal support members disposed at the junction of the intermediate and the upper modular sections lie substantially in the same plane and define a second perimeter dimension In a hunting stand according to the invention, the second perimeter dimension is less than the first perimeter dimension. The difference in the parameter dimensions provide additional stability to the construction as a whole when compared to hunting stands, which translates into an increased level of safety in use The difference in these perimeter dimensions is accomplished by means of the offset connections, such as that shown in FIG. 4c. While FIG. 4c shows an offset connection as the top end portion of a vertical support member, the present invention contemplates the use of an offset connection such as that shown in FIG. 4c, and having threads on both of its end portions E.

[0036] Since the various support members of the present invention are preferably connected to one another by means of threads disposed on the ends of the support members, and since a threaded connection comprises complementary counterparts, often referred to as having a gender such as male and female, there are a myriad of possibilities as to whether a given support member comprises a male or a female thread at its end portion which is to be connected to another support member. Accordingly, the present invention contemplates all such configurations of the use of male or female couplings, both right-handed and left-handed threads, on the end portions of the constructs which define the lower, intermediate, and upper modular assemblies, and connections therebetween, as the use of threaded connectors is well-known in the art. In an alternative form of the invention, connections between the various support members may be accomplished by means of hollow tubular support members which are effectively coupled to one another by virtue of one of the support members being of larger diameter than the other, thus permitting the support member of smaller diameter to be inserted into the support member having the larger diameter, and then securing the connection by means of a removable pin disposed through the diameter dimension of the assembly to effectively prevent the motion of the support member having smaller diameter within the support member having larger dimension.

[0037]FIG. 5 shows a hunting stand according to the invention having reinforcing guy wires 44 which provide additional structural stability to a hunting stand according to the invention The guy wires 44 in one embodiment are connected to the corners of the faces of the substantially rectangular solid defined by the support members of a given modular assembly, using, in one preferred form of the invention, an adjustment device such as a turnbuckle 32 or the like. The guy wires 44 are affixed to the corner portions of the faces using conventional means, such as hooks which are welded or threaded into the support members, as the use of means for anchoring guy wires to tubular constructs is known in the art. By tightening the turnbuckles, tension in the guy wires may be increased to an effective level to provide an increased Also shown in FIG. 5 is a ladder 46 useful by a hunter to ascend the hunting stand to the top platform from which hunting or observation may be performed. The ladder is attached by conventional means such as screws, ties, etc. to the horizontal support members in the plane of coinciding face portions of the lower modular section, the intermediate modular section, and the upper modular section

[0038] A floor portion is preferably disposed at the plane of junction of the upper and intermediate modular assemblies, which according to one preferred form of the invention comprises wooden planks affixed to the horizontal support members of the intermediate modular assembly using conventional fastening means, including without limitation nuts and bolts. Such floor portion provides a surface upon which a hunter may stand or sit while hunting or observing game.

[0039] According to one preferred form of the invention, the overall height of a hunting stand as provided by the invention is between about 12 and 30 feet. More preferably, the overall height is between 15 and 25 feet, with an overall height of about 18 feet being most preferred. Such an overall height dimension may be accomplished by providing the vertical support members of the modular assemblies to have an appropriately selected length dimension, the selection of which is well within the skill level of one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0040] A hunting stand according to the present invention preferably includes a shielding means, for obscuring the hunter perched in the hunting stand from the view of game in the area of the stand's location. Such a shielding means may comprise a canvas tarpaulin, 86 in FIG. 7, or other suitable non-transparent material which reasonably withstands weathering, such as plastics, plywood, woven cloth, non-wovens, netting, etc. affixed to the support members of the upper modular assembly in such a way to provide an effective visual shield. Such a shield includes a window portion, to enable the hunter to see out of the blind formed by virtue of all four of the faces of the upper modular assembly being covered with such a shielding means.

[0041] In FIG. 6 is shown an optional horizontal support bar 56 disposed about midway along the length dimension of the vertical support member of the upper modular assembly. Such a horizontal support bar may be included on one, two, three, or all four of the faces of the substantially rectangular solid defined by the upper modular assembly. According to a preferred form of the invention, there is such as support bar disposed on all four face portions of the upper modular assembly.

[0042] A hunting stand according to one preferred form of the invention consists of 1-foot, 5-foot, and 6-foot sections, which are preferably black iron pipe. The 1-foot sections are provided at the bottom of the lower modular assembly as the legs 57. The 6-foot sections are used as vertical support members of the lower and upper modular assemblies, and the 5-foot sections are used as vertical support members of the intermediate modular assembly The horizontal support members of a hunting stand according to this preferred form of the invention comprise 4-foot, 5-foot, and 6-foot black iron pipe sections The 6-foot sections are used as the horizontal support members 18 h at the bottom portion of the lower modular assembly 1, the 5-foot sections are used as the horizontal support members 8 h of the lower modular assembly, and the 4-foot sections are used as the horizontal support members of the intermediate and upper modular assemblies At all points of connection, a ¾″ four way tee (FIG. 4a) is used. The four-way tees are deep threaded at all points of connection, which means that the 4-way, ¾″ tees arere-threaded to allow the joints to go deeper than the standard threads would allow. A stand according to this embodiment is assembled working from the bottom to the top It is first laid screwing 12″ joints into the bottom of the group of 4-way ¾″ tees. It is important to tighten each one until it is good and snug, but even, then connect the group of vertical and horizontal support members. It is important not to place two deep threaded pipe ends on the same 4-way tee on any sections connected. It is important to screw all the deep threaded ends all the way in to the 4-way ¾″ tee before screwing the standard thread in the last four-way tee. Once this layer is completed, then one begins on the second layer using the 6-foot bend (FIG. 4c) and ¾″ pipe. they are all tightened down snug. It is important on the last turn to place the bend towards the center of the stand. Again, one connects the horizontal and vertical stabilizing members, working from left to right. It is important that all joints be tightened evenly. The last step taken is then repeated using the 5-foot long (FIG. 4c) bent end pipe, then place the 5-foot bent end ¾″ pipe for this layer which again would be tightened snug. The bent end will be placed to the center of the stand as done on the previous section, then one places the final layers of support members, which also serves as the support brackets for the box area of the stand. It is important to always screw the deep threaded end all the way in before connecting the standard threaded end. This will cause the deep threaded ends to come out as the standard threaded end is tightened snub. It is important to be sure that the center tees on the side support brackets are turned to the inside of the assembly. Next, the center support bracket is to be mounted. It is important here that the deep threaded end is turned all the way in before tightening the standard thread end.

[0043] Consideration must be given to the fact that although this invention has been described and disclosed in relation to certain preferred embodiments, obvious equivalent modifications and alterations thereof will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in this art upon reading and understanding this specification and the claims appended hereto. Accordingly, the presently disclosed invention is intended to cover all such modifications and alterations, and is limited only by the scope of the claims which follow. 

I claim: 1) A hunting stand useful by hunters stalking prey which comprises: a) an upper modular section; b) an intermediate modular section; wherein each of said upper and intermediate modular sections comprise: i) four vertical support members, each having a top end portion and a bottom end portion; and ii) four horizontal support members, said vertical support members and said horizontal support members being connected to one another so as to form a rectangular solid that defines said modular section, wherein said upper and said intermediate modular sections are stacked upon one another such that the top end portions of the vertical support members of said intermediate modular section are each connected to the bottom end portion of the vertical support members of said upper modular section; c) a lower modular section which comprises i) four substantially-vertical support members, each having a top end portion and a bottom end portion, and ii) eight horizontal support members, said vertical support members and said horizontal support members of said lower modular section being connected to one another so as to form a rectangular solid that defines said modular section, and wherein the top end portions of the vertical support members of the lower modular section are connected to the bottom end portions of the vertical support members of said intermediate modular section, the four horizontal support members disposed at the junction of said lower and said intermediate modular portions lie substantially in the same plane and define a first perimeter dimension, and wherein the four horizontal support members disposed at the junction of said intermediate and said upper modular sections lie substantially in the same plane and define a second perimeter dimension, wherein said second perimeter dimension is less than said first perimeter dimension. 2) A hunting stand according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of wooden planks horizontally disposed and affixed to the horizontal support members of said intermediate modular section. 3) A hunting stand according to claim 2 further comprising a ladder attached to at least one horizontal support member selected from the group consisting of: said lower modular section, said intermediate modular section, and said upper modular section so as to coincide substantially with the plane of coinciding face portions of said lower modular section, said intermediate modular section, and said upper modular section 4) A hunting stand according to claim 2 further comprising a shielding means disposed about and covering all four faces of the substantially rectangular volume defined by the upper modular section. 5) A hunting stand according to claim 4 wherein said shielding means comprises a material selected from the group consisting of: cloth, wood, plastic sheet, and canvas. 6) A hunting stand according to claim 4 wherein said shielding means includes a hole disposed therethrough through which game may be viewed. 7) A hunting stand according to claim 4 further comprising at least one guy wire having affixed to the vertical support members of a face of a rectangular solid defined by a modular assembly selected from the group consisting of: the upper modular assembly, the intermediate modular assembly and the lower modular assembly, so as to lie along a diagonal of said face. 8) A hunting stand according to claim 4 wherein said vertical support members of said intermediate modular assembly comprise an offset connector disposed on at least one of its ends, said offset including an angle alpha, wherein said angle alpha is any angle between 0 and 60 degrees. 